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Amherst College (MA)
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12 years
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Qualified Private Coach
Passed Coach Course
Michael Riopel
Basketball
SILVER
Background Check Verified
Learn MoreThis coach has passed an identification, basic background, and sex offender check.
Former college / professional athlete + coach with Masters in Sports Psychology. I care deeply about creating a positive, fun environment to learn the game. View all coaching experience
Training Locations
Coach is willing to travel up to 50 miles
Packages
In-Person Training
for a single athlete
1 session package with Coach Michael. 60 minute session length.
Session Length: 1 hour
$50 1 session + applicable fees
Recommended
In-Person Training
for a single athlete
3 session package with Coach Michael. 60 minute session length
Session Length: 1 hour
$125 3 sessions ($42/ea) + applicable fees
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Adults, Kids, Teenagers
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Guard, Forward, Center
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Agility, Shooting, Rebounding, Reading the Floor, Post Moves, Pick and Roll, Passing, Moving Without the Ball, Footwork, Defense, Ball Handling, Attacking the Rim
Credentials
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Amherst College (MA)
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12 years
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Qualified Private Coach
Passed Coach Course
Services
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Adults, Kids, Teenagers
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Guard, Forward, Center
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Agility, Shooting, Rebounding, Reading the Floor, Post Moves, Pick and Roll, Passing, Moving Without the Ball, Footwork, Defense, Ball Handling, Attacking the Rim
More About Coach Michael
Amherst College Men's Basketball - Assistant Coach, 2019-2021.
Ulster University Premier League Men's Club (Ireland) - Head Coach, 2018-2019.
Broadwater Academy Boy's Basketball - Assistant Coach, 2021-2022.
Private 1-1 & Group Lessons for 150+ clients over 10 years.
Founder of "Skills and Drills" - Nonprofit local youth basketball clinic for boys and girls ages 9-13 (60-80 campers per week).
Camp Instructor - Coach Wooten's Basketball Camp, B.A. Walker Basketball Camp, and The Western Mass Basketball Camp.
Professional Basketball
- Competed overseas in the Irish National League in 2019
Amherst College Men’s Basketball (NCAA Division III)
- Three-year starter
- 2018 Team Captain
- Selected to the 2018 All-NESCAC Team
- Led the team in scoring during the 2018–2019 season
- 41% career three-point shooter
- 2016 Final Four
High School Varsity Basketball
- Five-year varsity player
- 1,900-point career scorer
- Four-time High School All-State First Team selection
Every workout plan I design is carefully tailored to the individual athlete. I typically use the first session to evaluate the player’s strengths and weaknesses, which allows me to build a foundation for future training. From there, I integrate drills, concepts, and lessons drawn from my collegiate and professional playing experience to specifically target and strengthen the player’s biggest weaknesses.
For reference, below is a sample workout I recently created for a player who was struggling with off-hand ball handling and perimeter shooting:
Warm-Up (15 minutes)
The session begins with dynamic stretching, stationary ball handling, dynamic ball handling, and form shooting.
Stationary Shooting (15 minutes)
Catch-and-shoot drills from various spots on the floor with an emphasis on form and consistency.
Shooting on the Move (15 minutes)
Tailored to each player and the type of shots they would realistically shoot within a game. Each drill is competitive!
1-on-1 Live Play (15 minutes)
I love to end each session with a competitive game of 1-on-1, emphasizing live application of the skills developed throughout the workout.
Action Photos
Client Reviews
Lenny (CoachUp client)
Coach Michael is an awesome coach. My son who is twelve was fortunate to have this experience learning from such a great resource.
Kristin (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
D (CoachUp client)
Sajel (CoachUp client)
My experience with Michael has been extremely positive and what stands out are his enthusiasm, encouragement, and of course... his amazing basketball skills! Communication has been great because he is very professional and respectful. Don’t think otherwise! He has been responsive to my inquiries in a timely manner and also has been flexible in making plans for coaching sessions. Easy to reach, too. I am an adult newbie to basketball hoping to build a hobby, and he’s understanding of this and started me with the basics in a very non-judgmental way. I actually feel perfectly comfortable if the ball misses the hoop the first time; because he’s patient enough until I do get the hang of it. I recommend him for all ages because he has the perfect personality and skills to engage anyone interested in this sport!
Jennifer (CoachUp client)
Coach Michael was fantastic. He provided a rigorous, personalized session that was simultaneously really fun.
Laurie (CoachUp client)
Michael was very professional and my son had fun working with him. He has great energy and is very motivating. My son enjoyed the session and would be happy to schedule another with Michael.
Francisco (CoachUp client)
I usually don't do this, but my experience was not good. After setting up a session it was canceled just a few hours before it was to be done. Communication has been horrible. I haven't received any form of communication since the cancellation, and now trying to get a refund has been difficult. Seems like a good guy, but if you're going to get into these kind of things communication is key.
Abisola (CoachUp client)
Coach Mike is a great coach. He made my son feel comfortable and he is learning a great deal from him. My son is always excited for his next practice with his coach.
Marino (CoachUp client)
(no details provided)
Abisola and Laurie (two clients) (Testimonial)
Michael was very professional and my son had fun working with him. He has great energy and is very motivating. My son enjoyed the session and would be happy to schedule another with Michael. Coach Mike is a great coach. He made my son feel comfortable and he is learning a great deal from him. My son is always excited for his next practice with his coach.
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